be in. the way /bi: in to wei/ if someone or something is in the way, they are in a position that stops you from going where you want to go: There's a car in the way and I can't get out of the garage. be in sb's way Could you move please, Sonia. You're in my way.
block , blok||bla:k/ [и T] if objects or people block a road, entrance etc, they lie or stand right across it, so that no-one can pass through: A big truck hod turned over on its side, and it was blocking the rood. I Hundreds of protesters blocked the entrance to the President's palace.
to make sure that something does not happen
prevent pri'vent/ [и T] to make sure that something will not happen or cannot happen. especially something bad: The rules are intended to prevent accidents. I Managers and union leaders are hoping to prevent the strike.
A
BBC was stopped from broadcasting a programme about the Secret Service.
715
STOP
prevent sth from doing sth The chemical is stored in sealed tanks to prevent poisonous gases from escaping. prevention [n UJ when something is prevented: the preuentiort of crime
Stop stop|[sto:p |и T] to make sure that something bad that is happening cannot continue and become worse: if it can help to stop the spread of AIDS, it's worth trying.
stop sth from doing sth They had to stop the fire from reaching the oi/ storage tanks.
stopping - stopped have slopped
cancel / k;ens,?l [i> T] to change a previous
arrangement, so that a meeting, concert, game etc which was planned will not happen: We've cancelled the meeting because Wayne can't come. I I forgot to cancel my doctor's appointment, cancelling - cancelled - have cancelled
canceling - canceled - have canceled
■Wtt-.Uk'AN
call off Ы 'п1|-'з:Г [phrasal verb T] to stop a meeting or event that you have organized, just before it is going to start с ail off sth If it goes on raining, we'i/ have to call off the game. I Damian
called off the wedding at the last moment.
call sth off "Will there be a train strike tomorrow?'' "No, the union called it off."
Ы to stop someone from working, paying attention etc
interrupt /,1тэ'глр1 [и 1/Г] to stop someone when they are working, talking, or having a meeting, especially because you
want to ask a question or tell them something: Don't interrupt - I haven't finished yet. I I'm sorry to interrupt your meeting, but I have an important announcement. interruption [n C] when someone interrupts you: It's hard to study with so many interruptions.
disturb
/drst3:rb, [и T] to stop someone who is busy doing something, for example by asking them a question or making a noise: Sorry to disturb you, but could I
ask you о quick question? I Try not to disturb your Dad - he's working.
STOP
distract jdi'strackt/ [u T] to stop someone who is trying to work, study, or read, by making them look at or listen to something else: The couple behind us kept
distracting everyone by talking during the movie.
be distracted by sth I was distracted by the sound of a car alarm in the street.
put sb off ;,pot (sb) nf [phrasal verb T] british to make it difficult for someone to do something, by preventing them from paying attention and thinking clearly about what they are doing: Seles couldn't concentrate on the game - the photographers were putting her off.
Ii!i to stop moving
Stop stnp||sta:p [u Ij to stop moving: 1 stopped and picked up the coin. I What's happened? Why have all the cars stopped?
stop to do sth (=5top in order to do
something) He stopped to buy a news- paper on the way home. stop dead {=stop very suGdenly) My horse stopped dead, and / was thrown forward.
stopping - stopped - have stopped
come to a halt/come to a stop
клт to з 'halt. ,клт to з stop||-stu:p especially written to gradually slow down and then stop - use this about trains, cars etc: As the train came to a stop he jumped off and ran away. I The bus finally came to a halt half-way up a very steep hill.
brake /breik/ [и I] to make a car, train, bicycle etc stop or go more slowly by using the brake (=the control that reduces the speed): I had to brake suddenly to avoid a dog that ran into the road.
pull in/pull over poi m, ,pul 3ovr>r
[phrasal verb I] to make your car stop at the side of the road: If you start to feel tired on long journeys, pull in and have a rest.
Ш when a train, bus, or plane stops somewhere
Stop stnp|.stu:p [l> I] to stop somewhere to let passengers get on or off - use this about trains or buses
+ atfnearloatside etc Does this train stop at York? I The bus stops just outside my house.
716
stopping - stopped - have stopped
Stop чГгфЦяа'р,. \n С J a place where a bus or train regularly stops to let passengers get on or off: Get off at the third stop. bus stop We liue miles from the nearest bus stop.
call at Ъ:1 an (phrasaf verb T! if a train or ship calls at a place, it stops there while it is on the way to somewhere else: This is the 10:30 to Bristol, calling at Reading and Bath. The ship calls at Madeira to collect cargo.
direct d.Vrekt. dai- [adj adaj if a journey is direct, or if you travel direct, you go straight from one place to another without stopping to change planes, trains etc: With this ticket you can travel direct from Paris to Berlin overnight. direct /light/bus/traia There are no direct flights from Rochester to Cincinnati.
non.-Stop non "stDp^H.nusn stu:p4 [adj only before noun] a non-stop flight, plane, train etc goes from one place to another without stopping anywhere: There are three non-stop fights to Hong Kong every day. non-stop Iadv] You can travel from Paris to London non-stop on the Eurostar.
STORY
a description of a series of events that Is told to entertain people